The State Pension age is increasing from 66 to 67 between 2026–2028. Check how it affects you and your retirement income.
Most pensioners in the UK get the State Pension, but you can only claim it once you reach State Pension age. Currently, the State Pension age is 66, but from April 2026, it will start to increase to 67. This rise is being phased in over a two-year period and will be completed by April 2028.
It affects you if you’re born on or after 6 April 1960 but, depending on your age, you may have to wait even longer for the State Pension. That’s because the State Pension age will rise further to 68, although currently this isn’t due to be phased in until 2044.
Why the State Pension age is increasing
The State Pension age is rising because people are living longer, on average, than they did many years ago. The State Pension age used to be 60 for women and 65 for men but started to rise to 65 for women in 2010, reaching 66 for both men and women by April 2020.
The government decided to increase the State Pension age to 67 back in 2014, and said it would rise further, to 68, between 2044 and 2046. However, the timetable for the rise to 68 may change.
That’s because the government launched a review into the State Pension in 2025, which will look at the current timetable for future State Pension age rises as part of its work. This review will not make any changes to the rise in State Pension age to 67 and will give at least ten years’ notice of any future changes to the current timetable for future rises in the State Pension age.
Key dates for the increase
The rise in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 is being phased in over a two-year period from 6 April 2026. This means that if you were born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961, your State Pension age will be between 66 and 67.
From 6 April 2028, the State Pension age will be 67. This affects you if you’re born on 6 March 1961 or later. It means you will not be able to claim the State Pension until you reach 67 years of age.
The next rise in the State Pension age, to 68, is scheduled to be phased in from April 2044 – 2046. However, as mentioned earlier, the date for this rise could change.
State Pension age timetable
We talk about ‘the State Pension age’ but your State Pension age could be different to someone else’s. That’s because the State Pension age – the date you can claim the State Pension - is based on your date of birth.
If you’re affected by the rise in the State Pension age to 67, your State Pension age could be different to someone else who was born shortly before or after you – as shown in the table below.
| People born 06/04/60 – 05/05/60 can claim from 66 years and 1 month |
| People born 06/05/60 – 05/06/60 can claim from 66 years and 2 months |
| People born 06/06/60 – 05/07/60 can claim from 66 years and 3 months |
| People born 06/07/60 – 05/08/60 can claim from 66 years and 4 months |
| People born 06/08/60 – 05/09/60 can claim from 66 years and 5 months |
| People born 06/09/60 – 05/10/60 can claim from 66 years and 6 months |
| People born 06/10/60 – 05/11/60 can claim from 66 years and 7 months |
| People born 06/11/60 – 05/12/60 can claim from 66 years and 8 months |
| People born 06/12/60 – 05/01/61 can claim from 66 years and 9 months |
| People born 06/01/61 – 05/02/61 can claim from 66 years and 10 months |
| People born 06/02/61 – 05/03/61 can claim from 66 years and 11 months |
| People born 06/03/61 – 05/04/77 can claim from their 67th birthday |
Note:
A person born on 31 July 1960 is considered to reach the age of 66 years and 4 months on 30 November 2026. A person born on 31 December 1960 is considered to reach the age of 66 years and 9 months on 30 September 2027. A person born on 31 January 1961 is considered to reach the age of 66 years and 10 months on 30 November 2027.
What does this mean for pensioners and couples?
If you’re married or live with your partner, then that doesn’t affect when you claim your State Pension. You can each claim the State Pension when you reach your individual State Pension age and the amount you get will be based on your individual National Insurance record.
However, when it comes to state benefits such as Pension Credit, which is a benefit that pensioners on a low income can claim, you can only claim it when both of you have reached State Pension age. So, if your partner is entitled to claim the State Pension at 66 but you’re not able to claim it until you’re 67, then your partner wouldn’t be able to claim Pension Credit until you’re 67.
Planning ahead
If you don’t know your State Pension age, or if you’re not sure if it’s changed, then it’s a good idea to check on the HMRC app, if you’ve downloaded it, or on the government’s Gov.uk website. You can also check your State Pension age by ringing the Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175.
As the State Pension is the foundation of most people’s income in retirement, it’s important to know when you’re due to receive yours. If you don’t have this information, it’s much harder to work out how much you need to save in your workplace or personal pension, when you might want to take money out from your workplace or personal pension and how much to take.
Your pension provider may have a pensions tool or calculator that will tell you when you’re due to receive the State Pension.
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